A Sun-Kissed Glow for Vampires

Tanned skin suggests health, wealth and relaxation, and we've been craving it since Coco Chanel popularised it in the 1920's. But how to achieve that when you're vampire-level pale without sacrificing skin health lying on a beach for two weeks or (god forbid) resorting to tanning beds?

(I'd planned to publish this months ago, which is why I'm wearing my winter coat - but considering the recent wet weather in London, it's even more relevant now!)

A pink and glowy Valentine's look

Before and after: my romantic pink Valentine's-inspired look

Despite being in a long-term relationship, Valentine's has never really been our thing. I look forward to the cut-price chocolates and champagne on the 15th much more. But I've seen a lot of really beautiful Valentine's-inspired looks recently and they inspired me to create this romantic pink look. I'll wear it while binge-watching Netflix in my pyjamas and sipping my cheap champagne.

A classic Autumn look on a budget

Autumn makeup, how I love you. Autumn is my favourite season, September my favourite month, and with their arrival comes a desire, no, a need, to add new shades to my makeup collection. 

But my goodness it costs a lot! I've been drooling over the Chanel and Nars Fall Collections and sadly realising that I can't afford to stock up on my favourites and still afford food, hot water and an internet connection.

So that's where this post started - how can I get the same lovely autumnal shades without breaking the bank? After a good hunt around online and in the makeup stands of Boots and Superdrug, I found budget products to recreate the same lovely looks at a fraction of the price.

Autumn Edit: Topshop

I head to Topshop at the end of summer because I love their autumn knitwear. They always have wonderful jumpers in beautiful tan, ochre and rust shades. I love that Topshop caters to a wide range of styles - I can always find something I like. (Equally I'll usually find something I wouldn't be caught dead in!) Despite being a fashion-forward brand, I find their clothes have a very long life span. I have skirts, tops, jumpers and cardigans that I've had for several years and still wear all the time. I'm wearing a rust-coloured boxy v-neck top from their Boutique range at the moment, and my burgundy cardigan, which is at least five years old, rests on the arm of the sofa, ready to be shrugged on if it turns cold. 

The jumpers of course caught my eye immediately (who doesn't love a good snuggly jumper?) as well as the beautiful midi dresses and smart brown ankle boots. 

A tip on buying: I find Topshop knitwear is often deliberately oversized - I typically buy 2 sizes smaller to avoid looking drowned.

Crochet midi dress, £70

Woodland Floral Print Shirt, £39

Dandelion Print Midi Dress, £55

Contrast Space Dye Roll Neck Jumper, £42

Longline Fine Ribbed Jumper, £36

Lulu Stitch Cardigan, £42

Ribbed Side Split Jumper, £36

Side Split Top, £30

Dark Floral Print Plunge Cami, £24

V-Neck Belted Midi Dress, £42

Super-Soft Scarf, Grey Marl, £16

Angelo Jodhpur Ankle Boots, Tan, £62

Bardot Heeled Ankle Boots, Burgundy, £45

Happy shopping!

Thanks for reading! x

Orange You Looking Good?

I thought I was living a fulfilling makeup life until I stepped into the warm, glowing light and saw the truth: orange is amazing. 

Friday Favourites

Summer pinks

Now that spring has well and truly sprung, I'm starting to enjoy brighter colours. 

Spring Wishlist

I've been thinking about fashion and beauty staples to see me into the summer months. Here are my favourites:

Clockwise from top left: H&M cardigan Nars Dolce Vita People Tree Vanessa skirt Vans ASPCA Authentic shoes Essie Tart Deco Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Topshop Moto shirt dress

Cheap as Chips - bargain beauty buys under £5

I've spent many an hour lusting over high-end beauty products. The number of MAC lipsticks I own is well into double figures. While I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing (MAC lipsticks are gorgeous, after all), there are loads of really great low-cost products out there. While they may not be as heart-poundingly, moan-inducingly beautiful, they get the job done without needing to survive on baked beans for a fortnight.